Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children
The Charlotte Huck Award celebrates outstanding fiction books for children ages 3–12 that inspire compassion, imagination, and wonder, recognizing works with exemplary literary quality and transformative impact.
Funder: National Council of Teachers of English
Due Dates: September 15, 2026 (Nomination deadline)
Funding Amounts: No monetary award; recipients receive a plaque or certificate and recognition at the NCTE Annual Convention.
Summary: Recognizes outstanding fiction for children that inspires compassion, imagination, and wonder, with the potential to transform young readers’ lives.
Key Information: Nominations must be for books published/distributed in the U.S. or its territories during the preceding year.
Description
The Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children, established by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), honors fiction books for children ages 3–12 that demonstrate exemplary literary quality and the capacity to inspire compassion, imagination, and wonder. The award recognizes works that connect children to their own humanity and stretch their thinking, feelings, and imagination. Each year, the committee selects one award recipient, up to five Honor books, and up to eight Recommended books. Recipients are celebrated at the Children’s Book Awards Luncheon during the NCTE Annual Convention.
